Paul passed away peacefully on June 1, 2017 at home with his family by his side. He was born May 2, 1935 in Chicopee, MA to James & Jeanette O’Day. He earned a BA in Chemistry w/honors from American International College, a Masters in Public Admin from American Univ and a JD from Georgetown Univ where he received their Constitutional Law Award. He was a visiting fellow at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School & awarded an honorary doctorate in Public Admin from AIC. He was President of the Eisenhower World Institute from ’93-’99 and on the Shakespeare board from 1985-1990. His government service included his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce & Senior positions in the Office of the US Trade Rep. Up to his passing, he was President & Counsel of the American Fiber Manufacturers Assoc. A job he truly loved, considered the height of his career, and poured himself into, even at 82. Friends called him “a Legend” in the industry. The AFMA Board established a scholarship in 2014 in honor of Paul, who served as their President for 3 decades.
Paul was well-read, maintained a deep curiosity in life and all 19 of his kids and grandkids could expect a thoughtfully selected book every birthday & Christmas. Amazon Books loved him. He has a multitude of “great friends”, as he would say, near and far, whom he cherished and would do anything for. Paul loved traveling, especially with his favorite travel buddy, Nancy, his wife & love of his life for 55 yrs. His favorites were the annual Smith Mt Lake family vacation, Florence Italy, Istanbul, the Neuchatel,Switzerland gatherings and O’Dea Clan reunions in Ireland at Dysert O’Dea castle with a Guinness in hand. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing on the saltwater flats catching bonefish, permit and tarpon with his son. He loved the arts, especially Shakespeare and Jussi Bjorling. He is survived by his wife and his 4 children, Kathleen O’Day, Maureen Nardo, Michael O’Day (Trish) and Ellen Sundra (Derek) and 13 Grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Paul’s name to AIC, ( alumni office) 1000 State St. Springfield, MA 01109. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 14 at 11:30 am at the Springfield Golf and Country Club in Springfield, VA. For more info contact:
